Sarfraz Ahmed and his men are chasing an 11th successive series win, but New Zealand have a squad that has done the rounds in T20 leagues and would fancy causing an upset

The Preview by Hemant Brar30-Oct-2018Big PictureIn this day and time, it’s a surprise that a team can go seven months without playing international cricket. However, that’s the case with New Zealand, who played their last game in March-April 2018. They will end the drought with the three-match T20I series against the No. 1-ranked Pakistan in the UAE, the first of which will be held in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday night.It’s not as if the players have been taking it easy though. Many of them, including Colin Munro, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor and Ish Sodhi were part of various franchises during the IPL or CPL. Also, New Zealand A were involved in a three-match T20 series in Dubai where they defeated Pakistan A 2-1. Players like Glenn Phillips, Corey Anderson and Mark Chapman were part of that team.Even so, New Zealand were dealt a blow when Martin Guptill was ruled out of the limited-overs leg due to a calf strain. It came after they were already without their first-choice spinner Mitchell Santner, who was ruled out for nine months after his right knee problem worsened in March.Guptill’s absence meant Phillips was rewarded for his good form in CPL 2018 and the T20s against Pakistan A. The wicketkeeper-batsman is likely to partner Munro at the top of the order, while Williamson and Taylor will complete the top four.Sodhi is set to lead the New Zealand spin attack, and given the nature of the wickets in Abu Dhabi, he is likely to be backed by the left-arm spin of uncapped 30-year-old Ajaz Patel. Wednesday’s game can also mark Anderson’s return to international cricket, who last played for New Zealand in the 2017 Champions Trophy.Pakistan, on the other hand, seem to have mastered the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket under Sarfraz Ahmed. They will be chasing their 11th successive series win. After demolishing Australia 3-0 recently, they have once again shown what a strong bowling attack can do even in the shortest format. While there is Hasan Ali’s pace and Faheem Ashraf’s guile, the bowlers who will test the New Zealand batsmen most are spinners Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim.Pakistan have always had bowling riches, but in Babar Azam, they now have a batsman around whom other power-hitters can play. Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik not only lend experience and stability to the middle order, but they are also as good as any backup spinners.Form guidePakistan WWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)New Zealand LLLWLIn the spotlightBabar Azam is currently the No. 1-ranked batsman in T20Is, and there is a good reason for that. His last five innings read: 50, 45, 68*, 51, 97*. During this period, he averages 103.66 with a strike-rate of 131.22. It was Babar, who held the innings together in the first T20I against Australia where Pakistan suffered a middle-order collapse and slipped from 130 for 3 to 133 for 8. While there are more experienced batsmen in the Pakistan squad, there is little doubt who the main threat is.Colin Munro is one of the most destructive batsmen around. The left-handed opener not only has the most T20I hundreds, but his strike-rate of 163.59 is the highest for anyone with more than 500 runs in the format. However, by his own admission, he finds it difficult to spot the ball when it is turning both ways. This means it will be a fascinating battle when he faces Shadab’s wristspin; it could well decide the series.Team newsPakistan have stuck with the same squad that whitewashed Australia earlier this month. While they may juggle between Usman Khan and Shaheen Afridi for the role of the second seamer, there are not many changes expected from the XI that played in Dubai on Friday. Fakhar Zaman remains out with knee pain.Pakistan (possible): 1 Babar Azam, 2 Sahibzada Farhan, 3 Mohammad Hafeez, 4 Shoaib Malik, 5 Asif Ali, 6 Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Shadab Khan, 10 Hasan Ali, 11 Usman Khan/ Shaheen AfridiWith Phillips set to open the batting, he will also keep wicket. This means Tim Seifert will have to miss out. Seth Rance may also have to wait for a chance with Anderson and Colin de Grandhomme occupying the allrounders’ spot.New Zealand (possible): 1 Colin Munro, 2 Glenn Phillips (wk), 3 Kane Williamson (capt), 4 Ross Taylor, 5 Mark Chapman, 6 Corey Anderson, 7 Colin de Grandhomme, 8 Tim Southee, 9 Ish Sodhi, 10 Ajaz Patel, 11 Adam Milne/ Lockie FergusonPitch and conditionsAbu Dhabi’s is not on a typical T20 wicket where batsman could hit through the line and on the up, as Australia found out when they were bowled out for 89. The average first-innings score here is 147. The forecast for Wednesday is partly cloudy with the temperature hovering around 27 degree Celsius. With the games being held at night, dew is also expected to play a role.Stats and trivia Pakistan have now bowled out their opposition 30 times in T20Is. New Zealand and Australia are the next with 19 each. Pakistan have won 26 out of 30 matches under Sarfraz Ahmed. Their four losses came against West Indies, World XI, New Zealand and Australia. Colin Munro (567) and Glenn Phillips (457) were the top two run-scorers in CPL 2018.QuotesIt [seven months] is an unusually long time between internationals but I guess that makes the guys very excited to get back involved. It’s a great country to come to and play cricket against Pakistan, who are one of the strongest teams in world cricket at the moment.

Khaleel Ahmed’s send-off of Marlon Samuels in the fourth ODI in Mumbai has earned the India left-arm quick an official warning and one demerit point.Having dismissed him in the 14th over of West Indies’ innings, Khaleel turned towards the departing Samuels and yelled out multiple times. Khaleel picked up figures of 3 for 13, helping India win by 224 runs.He was found guilty of a Level 1 breach of the ICC code of conduct, for violating article 2.5, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an international match”.Khaleel admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Chris Broad, which meant there was no need for a formal hearing. The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Ian Gould and Anil Chaudhary, third umpire Paul Wilson, and fourth umpire C Shamsuddin.

Much will be made of Tottenham Hotspur's recent blip – having lost each of their last two Premier League games – yet the fact remains that Ange Postecoglou's side are still just two points behind leaders Manchester City heading into the international break.

Following the doom and gloom of last term – with both Cristian Stellini and Antonio Conte having been shown the door – the future now appears far brighter for those at N17, even with star striker Harry Kane having moved on to pastures new over the summer.

In the Englishman's absence, the Lilywhites have been spearheaded by long-serving sensation, Heung-min Son, the South Korean forward scoring eight league goals thus far after already forming a devastating partnership with summer signing, James Maddison – who boasts five assists already in 2023/24.

Cruelly, the latter man – and teammate Micky van de Ven – are now set to be out until the New Year with injury, while recent games have also seen Postecoglou's ranks depleted by the dismissals of Cristian Romero and Destiny Udogie.

Those woes have thus far exposed a real lack of depth in the Spurs ranks, with the previously outcast Eric Dier forced to start against Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out, with new recruits seemingly needed across the park heading into the January window.

Tottenham transfer targets

Having already secured Pedro Porro from Portuguese side, Sporting CP earlier this year, the north Londoners could well return to Lisbon in order to snap up the likes of Marcus Edwards and Pedro Goncalves, with the pair both reportedly of interest to Daniel Levy and co.

Equally, one eye-catching report that has emerged over the past week is the Premier League side's apparent interest in promising England youngster, Samuel Iling-Junior, with the 20-year-old currently catching the eye at Serie A side, Juventus.

As per the Independent's Miguel Delaney, Tottenham are 'looking at' the emerging talent amid the need to add further depth to their attacking ranks, in particular, with the young wideman also providing the benefit of being able to feature in the centre of the park if required.

The former Chelsea youth asset – who left Stamford Bridge back in 2020 – does have a contract until 2025 with the Old Lady, although Delaney indicated that Spurs' strong relationship with the Serie A side could pay dividends, having signed the likes of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur in recent times.

The piece also noted that Iling-Junior would fit with the club's model of signing up-and-coming talent, with 21-year-old, Destiny Udogie, for instance, having been snapped up from another Italian outfit – Udinese – in the summer of 2022, prior to belatedly moving to England this summer.

Bringing the Juve man into the fold alongside the likes of Udogie, Pape Matar Sarr and Brennan Johnson would be an exciting prospect indeed, with such a deal certainly one to look out for in 2024.

Samuel Iling-Junior's style of play

As a left-footed asset who can operate as a wing-back or a more attack-minded role, Iling-Junior has perhaps unsurprisingly earned comparisons to Bayern Munich speedster, Alphonso Davies, as per talent scout Jacek Kulig, yet the likeness could perhaps just as easily be made between himself and a legend of Spurs folklore, Gareth Bale, with the now-retired superstar beginning life at left-back before transitioning into a devastating wing wizard.

Described as a "flamboyant winger" and noted for his "pace", "acceleration" and "athleticism" – as per Kulig – it is clear to see that Iling-Junior has the physical traits to be a possible heir to Bale in north London, with the Welshman also hailed for his "frightening" speed by Real Madrid legend, Zinedine Zidane, prior to moving to the Bernabeu a decade ago.

That likeness can also be seen in a description of the Juventus starlet's talents by Eurosport's Michele Neri, who recently stated: “Iling Junior is a very quick player, who loves to take on opposing full-backs and attack the vertical spaces, in a very direct way.

"He is a left winger who can also play as a right winger if needed. He has a great sense for dribbling and a speed from a standing start that other Juventus players do not have."

Those of a Tottenham persuasion don't need reminding of Bale's ability to offer a 'direct' threat from either flank, with the Cardiff native memorably scoring that hat-trick against Inter Milan in the Champions League back in 2010.

A defining Gareth Bale moment 11 years ago today! 🤩#UCL | @SpursOfficial pic.twitter.com/fdcsbwL4vn— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 20, 2021

Like the former Spurs star, however, Postecoglou's winter target is no mere headless chicken as he has the quality to match when in possession, having been hailed as an "assist machine" by Neri for his quality service from the flanks.

While still in the infancy of his senior career, the England U21 international has chalked up one goal and three assists in 22 games for his current side to date, including registering one assist from just four league appearances in 2023/24.

The signs are that Iling-Junior could have a bright future in the game and under the watchful eye of Postecoglou, he could well seek to mirror Bale's rise to stardom in Lilywhite.

Gareth Bale's statistics at Tottenham

Like Iling-Junior – who could command a fee of around £21m – Bale was snapped up as a player of potential rather than undoubted quality when signing from Southampton as a teenager back in 2007, with Levy forking out roughly £10m on the eye-catching full-back.

Despite a rocky start to life in the capital, amid a dismal run of 24 Premier League games without a win, the towering athlete eventually cemented himself as a key figure at White Hart Lane, while catching the eye of those further afield following that night at San Siro.

Season

Games

Goals

Assists

07/08

8

2

1

08/09

16

0

0

09/10

23

3

5

10/11

30

7

2

11/12

36

10

14

12/13

33

21

8

20/21

20

11

2

Stats via Transfermarkt

A "unique" talent when at his best, as lauded by Zidane, Bale ultimately departed in the summer of 2013 after having scored 21 goals and contributed eight assists in just 33 league games in his final season at N17.

Having later returned for a second spell on loan in 2020, the goalscoring machine's overall record for the club stands at 72 goals and 58 assists in just 236 games in all competitions, proving that not only was he a clinical figure in front of goal himself, but also something of an 'assist machine' in his own right.

Attempting to emulate such heroics is no easy task, yet the stylistic similarities between Bale and Iling-Junior should have pulses racing at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, if a deal can be agreed in 2024.

Thomas Tuchel may be sacked by Bayern Munich if they lose to Arsenal, according to reports, with a club legend being lined up as interim successor.

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Head coach under serious pressureWas due to step down in the summerKlose may be handed the reins insteadGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

Change is on the cards at the Allianz Arena, with former Chelsea and Paris Saint-German coach Tuchel stating his intention to step down at the end of the season. He is, however, in danger of failing to make it through to the summer.

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Bayern have slipped 16 points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga title race, leaving the Champions League as their only route to major silverware. They are due to lock horns with Premier League heavyweights Arsenal in the quarter-finals of that competition on Tuesday.

GettyDID YOU KNOW?

According to , another demoralising defeat against the Gunners will lead to Tuchel being ushered through the exits. It is claimed that former Bayern striker Miroslav Klose could take the reins on an interim basis, with club legend Hermann Gerland returning to the dugout as his assistant.

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WHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN?

Bayern will make a permanent appointment in the summer, amid links to the likes of Xabi Alonso and Jose Mourinho, but it is up to prolific striker Kane – who is preparing to return to north London for the first time since leaving Tottenham – and his underperforming colleagues to keep Tuchel in a job for a few more weeks.

MatériaMais Notícias

Em meio a crise que os clubes atravessam na temporada 2020, o Athletico conseguiu uma boa notícia para o ano que vem. Através do site oficial, o Furacão comunicou a renovação do contrato de patrocínio com a Havan.

+ TABELA DE CLASSIFICAÇÃO DO CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO

Além da marca estampada na camisa de jogo, a empresa terá o nome exposto nos uniformes de treino e viagens do time paranaense.

Mario Petraglia, CEO do Athletico, não escondeu a sua satisfação pela permanência da Havan dentro do clube por mais um ano.

RelacionadasFutebol NacionalFederação Catarinense define datas e formato do estadual 2021Futebol Nacional22/12/2020SportDirigente do Sport fala sobre a renovação de Lucas MugniSport22/12/2020NáuticoPromessa do Náutico fala sobre expectativa para final da Copa do Nordeste Sub-20Náutico22/12/2020

‘A nossa parceria com a Havan é um sucesso. Mesmo neste ano atípico de 2020, a Havan esteve com o Athletico, acreditando no potencial e na seriedade dos trabalhos. Temos muito orgulho de sermos patrocinados pela gigante Havan’, afirma Mario Celso Petraglia.

England star Leah Williamson has opened on her World Cup final regret ahead of her long-awaited return to action with the Lionesses this week.

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• Williamson missed England's World Cup final defeat
• Was sidelined for nine months with ACL injury
• Reveals 'worst decision' ahead of Lionesses return

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Williamson missed last summer's tournament in Australia and New Zealand due to an ACL injury. It robbed her of the opportunity to captain England at a World Cup for the first time, and in a campaign which saw the Lionesses reach the final.

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  That injury also sidelined the defender for a long period, meaning she has not played for England since last April. She was set to make her return in February, until a hamstring problem delayed the comeback.

• WHAT WILLIAMSON SAID

  Speaking ahead of England's clash with Ireland, a game in which she will make her first appearance for her country in 12 months, Williamson talked about her experiences watching the Lionesses while recovering from her knee injury.

  Asked if she was as calm in those moments as she often is when on the pitch, she joked: "Being at the World Cup final and sitting next to Jill Scott was one of the worst decisions I've ever made in my whole entire life. Not being at the World Cup final, just sitting next to Jill! I just live and breathe it. I love playing for England but I also love watching England. I was not a calming presence, as I'm probably known for on the pitch. Not on the sidelines."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Williamson's last appearance for England came in April of last year, in a 2-0 defeat to Australia. When she returns to the pitch on Tuesday for the UEFA Women's Euro qualifier against Ireland, it will be two days short of exactly a year since that game.

اعترف حارس مرمى منتخب فرنسا الأولمبي، جيلوم ريستس، أنهم خاضوا مباراة معقدة ضد نظيرهم منتخب مصر الأولمبي، مساء أمس في أولمبياد باريس 2024.

وتأهل منتخب فرنسا إلى نهائي منافسات كرة القدم رجال، على حساب منتخب مصر الأولمبي، بعد الفوز بنتيجة 3-1.

جاء التأهل بعد مباراة مثيرة، حيث تقدمت مصر في النتيجة بهدف دون رد، قبل أن تتعادل فرنسا ويحتكمان إلى الأشواط الإضافية، التي حسمها أصحاب الأرض لصالحهم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تييري هنري يرفع القبعة لـ مصر بعد تأهل فرنسا إلى النهائي ويصرّح: أعيش حلمًا لا أريد الاستيقاظ منه

وقال ريستس في تصريحات نشرتها شبكة “ouest-france” الفرنسية: “لقد كانت مباراة معقدة للغاية، إنها المرة الأولى التي نذهب فيها إلى الأشواط الإضافية وأظهرنا شخصيتنا”.

وأضاف: “تسجيل هدفين في الوقت الإضافي يثبت حالتنا الذهنية، إنه أحد أسعد أيام حياتي”.

وواصل: “الهدف الآن هو اجتياز هذه الخطوة الكبيرة (إسبانيا) والقتال من أجل الحصول على الميدالية الذهبية”.

ويلتقي منتخب فرنسا مع نظيره منتخب إسبانيا في نهائي لعبة كرة القدم، يوم الجمعة المقبل، في حين أن مصر تصطدم بالمغرب في مباراة الميدالية البرونزية يوم الخميس.

Leeds United are enjoying a successful season after suffering relegation from the Premier League this year, but manager Daniel Farke is keen to consolidate the flourishing fortunes.

Championship table-toppers Leicester City recently fell to Farke's blade at the King Power Stadium in a display that underscored the Whites' credentials for promotion and exhibited the cohesion and resilience that has not been present at the club for the past few years in the Premier League.

Leeds transfer news – Nadiem Amiri

According to a recent report from TEAMtalk, Nadiem Amiri has expressed regret over snubbing Leeds in the summer, with Farke's side presented with an opportunity to sign him once again in January.

The five-cap Germany international was the subject of an accepted €6m (£5m) bid from the Elland Road club earlier this year, with Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso not deeming the midfielder a core part of his vision.

Whether a deal is resurrected lies in Farke's hands, but it would certainly be a good move given the quality he could bring, and the supposed willingness to now forge ahead with a move to Yorkshire.

Nadiem Amiri's style of play

Amiri, aged 27, has completed 142 appearances for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring 12 goals and supplying 20 assists across all competitions.

As per FBref, the £47k-per-week ace ranks among the top 4% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 7% for total shots, the top 10% for progressive carries and the top 6% for successful take-ons per 90, emphasising the kind of positive qualities that could be injected into the burgeoning fold at Leeds.

The metrics-led site likens Amiri to Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, referencing the pairs' likeness in progression on the pitch – indeed, Villa's £120k-per-week machine ranks among the top 6% of positional peers for successful take-ons per 90.

Described as an "exceptional" midfielder by former manager Dean Smith, McGinn's energy and ceaseless pursuit of driving the play forward has been crucial to Aston Villa's ascendancy under Unai Emery – with seven goals and assists already this season – and Amiri could emulate this for United.

Amiri was dubbed the "ideal" addition in midfield for Farke's project back in the summer by Leeds presenter Oscar Marrio, which really is starting to click into full gear and could be augmented tremendously through the signing of such a creative and forward-thinking central presence.

Marrio said: "Amiri is absolutely ideal for Farke, press resistant & prioritises keeping the ball rather over trying to play defence splitting passes (although he is capable of this as well). Also takes the ball on the back foot, combines & create angles to get the wingers in dangerous areas."

Doubters might put forth the point that such a talented player might be dissuaded from joining a squad plying its trade in the second tier of English football, but Leeds have put in the groundwork previously to win him over.

Moreover, Amiri might be enticed by joining this new-look Leeds team which seems to grow in confidence and cohesion with each passing fixture; Farke and the 49er Enterprises must now throw the kitchen sink at securing his signature, taking a major stride in their push for an instantaneous return to the top-flight.

After successfully qualifying for the Champions League last season, Newcastle United have once again flexed their new-found muscles in the current campaign, even defeating Paris Saint-Germain 4-1 on the European stage at St James' Park. Eddie Howe's side sit sixth and six points adrift of Liverpool in fourth as a result of their start, but will be hoping to bridge that gap in the coming weeks.

Howe will also be hoping to end the Magpies' wait for silverware, which could come in the Carabao Cup. His side recently reached the last eight of the competition in style as they thrashed a struggling Manchester United side 3-0 at Old Trafford. They will now meet Chelsea in the next round, where they will already have to cope without one particular player following recent news.

Newcastle United's Carabao Cup run

The Magpies have enjoyed an impressive cup run this season, defeating Manchester City in the third round, before travelling to complete the Manchester double by easing past last season's Carabao Cup winners. Their victory at Old Trafford was a particular statement, given that it was United who prevented Newcastle from winning the trophy at Wembley last season.

Hoping for a different outcome this season, Howe's side must overcome Chelsea now without Lewis Hall. According to Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, parent club Chelsea will not allow Hall to play for Newcastle in their last eight tie later this month. Following Matt Targett's injury, Newcastle must now either turn to regular choice Dan Burn at left-back or seek options from elsewhere in their squad.

It's a shame for Hall, who did so well to play his part in knocking Manchester United out in the last round. The Chelsea loanee volleyed home a superb effort to double Newcastle's lead just before the break.

"Talented" Lewis Hall's absence a blow for Newcastle

Whilst it's understandable why Chelsea are set to deny Hall a place for Newcastle in the last eight of the Carabao Cup, the left-back could have had the perfect opportunity to pick up where he left off at Old Trafford. With Burn securing Howe's starting left-back spot, Hall's opportunities may be limited outside of the domestic cups, making the Blues' decision all the more frustrating.

The 19-year-old will just be hoping that those who do play can get the job done, providing him with the perfect chance to continue his cup form in the final four of the competition. Howe was full of praise for Hall after his goal and performance against United, saying via Sports Mole: "He's a talented player. He can play various positions for us, which in our current position we are going to need. Lewis has been training well.

"He's been adapting to quite a big change in his life so for such a young player to move from London and settle in here, I think he's done it well. The best of him is yet to come, without a doubt. When you get an opportunity you have to take it, and Lewis has done that. His performance against Manchester City was very good, he's a player we really like."

Chris Lynn believes the upcoming T20 matches can help Australia kickstart their season following the ODI series defeat

Daniel Brettig16-Nov-2018Chris Lynn only knows one way, so it was little surprise to hear him declare that the key to the rest of Australia’s summer is to start “throwing the first punch” so as to “drive the game” against South Africa and India, starting with the one-off T20 on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.This is easier said than done, of course, with Australia’s performances so far characterised more by uncertainty and struggle rather than crispness of movement and clarity of thought. When Lynn was promoted to open in the decisive ODI in Hobart on Sunday, his attempt to “throw the first punch” resulted in an edge and a duck at the hands of Dale Steyn.”We didn’t get off to the greatest starts in our batting unit,” Lynn said on the Gold Coast. “Hopefully we can do that tomorrow night and I suppose we were always just chasing the game rather than driving the game, so first and foremost we want to be out there throwing the first punch and putting them on the back foot, because then if you drive the game it makes life so much easier, not only as a batting group but for your captain, for your bowlers.Du Plessis flags 2020 exit from international T20

South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis has signalled that the World T20 in Australia in late 2020 will be his last international assignment in the shortest format, as he pondered the difficulties posed by domestic leagues in terms of having the best players available to play all three forms of the game.
“The T20 World Cup is in Australia and that’s not too far away, so hopefully we’ll be back for that and that will probably be my last international tour I would think,” du Plessis said in Brisbane. “From our perspective, T20 cricket for us over the last two or three years has been a case of bringing in the young guys, giving them an opportunity, so we never really play our strongest XI, which isn’t great for the international game.
“Football [has] a situation where it’s playing for your clubs and then there’s an international tournament. In my opinion that’s a good place for T20 cricket to be in, because you shouldn’t be trying to compete with the leagues because they are so strong at the moment. And I can see the same with other teams – it’s almost never their strongest teams, and fans come to watch the best players play. That’s where I see the game moving forward, but the T20 World Cup in 2020 is something I’m really looking forward to … that will probably be the last tournament for me.”

“If we can start that momentum through this T20 series, I think the Test series will be crucial and quite challenging against India, so if we can build momentum early in the T20 format, build guys’ confidence and belief that we’re still the best in the world, I think it’s going to be huge and hopefully we can start that tomorrow night.”Despite low scores in Perth and Hobart, and a missed opportunity in Adelaide where he was unable to resist the temptation to keep attacking Kagiso Rabada after a quartet of blows to the boundary, Lynn stressed that he would not be changing his approach.”I don’t think I’ll change at all to be honest,” he said. “I feel like I’m hitting the ball quite well, runs haven’t been there, but just because you miss out in a couple of innings you don’t change your whole game plan. To me it’s all about keeping my head still, hitting through the line of the ball and trying to do that to the best of my ability.”In the T20 format of the game, you’re going to come off some nights and other nights you’re going to fail, that’s just the way it goes in the shorter format. Hopefully tomorrow night it goes my way. The first game I was [nervous] just because it was my first game for Australia in a long time, but after the first 10 minutes the nerves were settled for me and it’s just a game no matter what format it is.”It’s a white ball coming down at you, it swings a little bit here and there, but I want to make sure I’m having fun, that’s the main thing. I’m certainly doing that at the moment, even though results haven’t gone our way. Every time you step out on the ground you want to contribute and do as best you can. I still feel I’ve got a lot to offer in international cricket, the dominoes haven’t lined up yet but I think it’s not far off.”As for the challenge posed by South Africa, Lynn said the quality of Steyn, Rabada and Lungi Ngidi in particular meant he was learning a lot in a short space of time. South Africa’s captain Faf du Plessis has been blunt in stating that extra pace provided by Steyn and Rabada was the key to stopping Lynn from causing the sort of havoc he has regularly inflicted on opponents in the BBL.”Two of the best bowlers in the world, Dale Steyn and Rabada, and someone like Ngidi hasn’t given us anything to hit so far and has executed his role to a tee,” Lynn said. “They’ve got a couple of classy spinners as well. That’s why it’s international cricket, there’s no easy overs, no easy games, so I’m really enjoying that challenge.”We haven’t got the results on the board and I haven’t personally, but I’m loving every minute of it. You work out very quickly who you are as a player and where you’ve got to get better. It’s going to take a while to adjust, but the change room’s happy and we’re working our backsides off.”